South Australia crash to demoralising loss

Queensland 192 and 363 (Perren 80, Hopes 77, Watson 68, Gillespie 5-69) beat South Australia 171 and 104 (Hopes 4-25, Bichel 3-13) by 280 runs
Scorecard

South Australia's season hit rock bottom as they capitulated to the Queensland pace attack and lost within three days at Adelaide Oval. A professional all-round performance from James Hopes and a gutsy half-century from the injured Shane Watson sparked the Bulls but the story of the day was the hosts' inability to even be competitive, despite a ten-wicket match from Jason Gillespie.

After both sides struggled in the first innings, Queensland showed why they are on top of the Pura Cup table, posting a second-innings 363. In reply, the Redbacks were all out for 104. Their top-order batting is a major concern, with Matthew Elliott, Cameron Borgas and Callum Ferguson continuing their poor form. The trio each average less than 30 in 2006-07.

Andy Bichel did the damage early, taking 3 for 13, before Hopes rattled the middle order with 4 for 25. South Australia's best partnership was the 24 added by the last-wicket pair Paul Rofe and Dan Cullen. So dominant were the Queensland fast bowlers that the legspinner Daniel Doran was not required to bowl throughout the match.

Hopes had made 77 in the second innings and together with Watson, built a valuable 139-run partnership. Watson batted with a runner and scored 68 a day after sustaining a 5cm tear to his left hamstring. Clinton Perren was out for 80 early in the day, helping Gillespie snare 5 for 69 after taking 5 for 41 in the first innings. His match tally of 10 for 110 was his best in first-class cricket.